Edwaed h



(No Model.)

m T 4 w m g v u L m A d i AM. e V t n Du m P a l 6 WITNESSES UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD H. SMITH, OF RUTHERFORD, CALIFORNIA.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,746, dated August 4, 1885.

Application filed March 18, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rutherford, in the county of Napa and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thin-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to thill-couplings; and it has for its object to provide a device of this character which shall be simple in its construction, effective in its operation, strong and durable, and one whereby the thills may be readily and easily detached.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the combination, with a draw-iron having a recess or seat, of a thill-iron adapted to fit the same, and a hinged cap adapted to lock said t-hill-iron in the recess or cavity.

The invention further consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts herein fully described, and pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a thill-coupling embodying my in vention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line at m, Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures, A represents a portion of the axle of a vehicle, upon which axle is fitted a clip, B. the ends of which are threaded, and connecting said threaded ends of the clip is a bar, 0, having holes or openings. The threaded ends of the clip extend below or beyond the bar 0, and adapted to engage the same are nuts a.

Extending outwardly from the inner side of the clip B is a draw-iron, D, whichis rece'ssed or cut away on its upper side to form a seat, I), and communicating with said seat I), at the rear end thereof, is a recess, 0, in which'is located an elastic cushion, d, preferably of rubber. The draw-iron is also recessed or cut away to form an ear or lug, 0, provided with a hole or opening.

E represents a lid or cap, which is divided at its rear end, and is hinged or pivoted to the ear or lug e by a pin or bolt, f.

F represents an extension of the lid, which projects downwardly from the outer end thereof, said extension having an inclined inner face to correspond to the front face of the draw-iron, so that said lid may be raised or lowered.

A longitudinallydisposed opening, g, is provided in the draw-iron at the outer end thereof, and located within said opening 9 is a bolt, G, having an inclined front face, in order that when the lid is lowered the said bolt may readily engage. the opening it in the lower end of the extension thereof. Adapted to bear against the rear end of the sliding bolt G, and communicating with said longitudinal opening, is a slot, t. In this slot t is adapted to work a pin, j, which is secured to the bolt G, whereby said bolt may be withdrawn from engagement with the hole or opening in the extension of the lid.

H represents a portion of the thill, to the under side of which, near the rear end thereof, is secured, by means of nuts or other suitable fastening, a plate, I, formed integral with which is aloop, J, adapted to engage the seat in the draw-iron and have a free movement therein, said-loop being held in engagement with the recess by means of the hinged lid.

The coupling before described is simple in its construction, may be manufactured and supplied at a slight cost, is strong and dnrable, and effective in operation.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with the draw-iron having a seat, of a plate having a loop, a hinged or pivoted lid, and a spring-actuated bolt sliding in the draw-iron and engaging an opening or its equivalent in the lid, thereby automatically locking said lid in a closed position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a draw-iron having a seat upon its upper side, a lid having an extension formed with a hole or opening, and a sliding spring-actuated bolt moving longitudinally in the draw-iron under the seat to engage said opening, and having the operating-pin projecting through the slot at the bottom of the draw'iron, of a plate formed with a loop, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD H. SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

W. A. MAoKINDER, J. A. FOWLE, Jr. 

